Probe ordered into pension scheme

Following the irregularities reported in the sanction of pension to freedom fighters in Andhra Pradesh...

Following the irregularities reported in the sanction of pension to freedom fighters in Andhra Pradesh, the state government has asked the criminal investigation department to probe the matter.

The discrepancies were unearthed after the state government last year ordered inquiries in four districts 8212;Karimnagar, Khammam, Nalgonda and Warangal 8212; after complaints of bogus claims and submission of false certificates. The DGP, who conducted the probe, has indicated the involvement of brokers and 8220;lapses8221; by concerned officials. He suggested the setting up of special teams to investigate.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil was informed today about the anomaly in a presentation that delved into minute details on the benefits given by the Centre to freedom fighters. The Andhra government has informed that a decision would be taken after it receives the report from the CID.

Officials said that the Ministry was contemplating raising the monthly pension from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 and asking all states to verify the authenticity of the claims made by freedom fighters for benefits under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme. As per records, 169,961 freedom fighters and their eligible dependents have been sanctioned pension till last month. While the expenditure was Rs 374.85 crores during the last fiscal year, it is estimated to be around Rs 380 crores for the current year.

To maintain a proper record, the Ministry last year had initiated an exercise to compile a database of all the beneficiaries of the scheme. So far complete information has been received from 156 districts out of a total of 414 in the country.

Several Rajya Sabha MPs have also asked the government to furnish details on the number of freedom fighters availing the benefits. They have suggested a slew of measures like enhancement of the monthly pension to Rs 10,000, adequate medical and home loan facilities.

90,000 forms rejected

NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry has rejected over 90,000 application forms from Bihar seeking freedom fighters8217; pension. The ministry received over 1.25 lakh forms from Bihar out of which only 24,000 were cleared. Most forms only had signatures or thumb impression with no other data, the sources said.